ABOUT US

When I moved to New York in 2010, it was at the epicenter of the whiskey revival and speakeasy boom. You couldn’t throw a rock without hitting a trendy new cocktail bar with a whiskey book. New to the city, and excited to explore, I eagerly set out to see what the city had to offer. But as I made my way deeper into the whiskey world, as an enthusiastic novice, I was often met with condescending and comments and made to feel excluded from what I quickly came to understand was meant to be a “man’s domain.” I was expected to already know everything about whiskey to be accepted into the space, but I struggled to find a community where I could ask questions, expand my expertise, and learn. Unsurprisingly, nearly all the women I met shared similar experiences.

In 2011, tired of hearing, “wow, I didn’t know women drank brown liquor,” or “that’s a strong drink for a little lady,” or “wouldn’t you rather see the wine list?” I gathered a group of friends who felt the same way and started organizing outings to whiskey bars around New York; I wanted us to be able to explore our city—and enjoy our whiskey—in a community that was friendly and fun.

Over a decade later later, wWw brings together nearly twenty thousand members across two dozen chapters in five countries—and counting! Every month we receive applications to start new chapters around the world. Wherever they are, we provide our members with a space to enjoy and learn about whiskey (and other spirits) at innovative and educational events—free of mansplaining.

Julia Ritz Toffoli

wWw Founder & Principal